Stereotype-plate-making machine



J. J. WALSER STEREOTYPE PLATE MAKING MACHINE July 20, 1926.

Original Filed p 5 1 2 9 Sheets-Sheet l July 20 1926. 1,593,111

J. J. WALSER STEREOTYPE PLATE MAKING MACHINE Ori inal Filed p 5 1920 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 20 1926. 1,593,111 J. J. WALSER STEREOTYPE PLATE MAKING MACHINE 0rigina1 Filed Sept. 5, 1920 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 O0 IIIIII'IIIQIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIII' ATTORNEY July 20 1926. 1,593,111

JMJ. w LsER STEREOTYPE PLATE MAKING MACHINE Original Filed p 5, 2 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 K ATTORNEY July 20,1926. 7 1,593,111

J. J. WALSER STEREOTYPE PLATE MAKING MACHINE Original Filed 5- 1 2 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 July 20 1926. 1,593,111

J. J. WALSER STEREOTYPE PLATE MAKING MACHINE Orizinal Filed Sept. 5, 1920 9 Sheets-Sheet e ET- L5 July 20 1926.

J- J. WALSER STEREOTYPE PLATE MAKING MACHINE Original Filed p 3. 20 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 lZO 8 Z l 3 w 3 4 6 9% w A. w g 5 L%% l w /o lo AATORNEY July 20,1926. 1,593,111

J, J. WALSER' STEREOTYPE PLATE MAKING MACHINE Original Filed p 5 1920 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 m Q W 7 m 1' I" a V) A. m 4441,1111, /1.A 46 91 [L o \9 4. 6. z X/ A TTORNEY Patented daily 20, 1926.

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WALSER, ADMINISTRATBIX, ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN, ABSIGNOB TO G085 PBINTINGCPRESS COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF IL'LHQ'OIS.

srnnno'r rn-rna'rn-uaxme Enemies.

Original application filed September 3, 1920, Serial No. 407,985. Divided and this appiicatien med larch 15, 1822. Serial No. 543,960.

The invention relates to machines for making and finishing stereotype printin plates and more particularly to a novel mac ine for casting and finishing plates which is auto- 85 matic in its operation, and having its various mechanisms automatically inter-related in their operation, and which possessesother features of novelty which are pointed out hereafter.

Objects and advantages of the invention 'will be set forth in part hereinafter and in part will be obvious hereirom, or may be learned by practice with the invention, the same being realized and attained by means of instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts,

constructions, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shown and described.

The accompanying drawings, referred to herein and constituting a part hereof, illustrate one embodiment of the invention, and

together with the description, serve to ex- W plain the principles of the invention.

@f the drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying the invention, and shOWing more or less diagrammatically some of the elec- 30 trical controls;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation looking at Fig. 1 from the right;

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section on line 3-3 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section, takfin on line 44 of Fig. 1, looking to the ri t. i

ig. 5 is a transverse vertical section, likewise taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1, and showing the same mechanism as Fig. 4:, but in a different position;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, enlarged perspective view of a part of the supporting and moving mechanism for the hot metal pump; Fig. 7 is a transverse vertical section on line 7--7 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary transverse vertical section on line 8-8 of Fig. 1, looking iii the direction of the arrows; v t

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary, transverse vertical section on line 9-9 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 10 is a greatly enlarged detail, partly diagrammatic, of the repeating control for the plate casting mechanism;

Fig. 11 is a section taken on line 11--11 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary horizontal section, taken on line 12-12 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 13 is a "fragmentary, transverse vertical section taken on line 13-13 of Fig. 1;

Figs. 14 and 15 are dia rammatic views showing the cooperation o the plate when leaving the casting position with one of the electrical controls for the plate casting mechanism;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary detail in section on line 16-16 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary horizontal section on line 17-17 of Fig. 7

Fig. 18 is a diagram of the electrical control system for the machine; and

Fig. 19 is a detail of a modified drive for the plate trimming saws; 5

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary detail end elevation of the plate lifting mechanism;

Fig. 21 is a side elevation corresponding to dFig. 20, looking thereat from the left; an

Fig. 22 is a horizontal section on line 22--22 of Fig. 21.

This application is a division of the inventors copending application Ser. No. 407,985, filed September 3, 1920.

The present invention, as embodied, com,- prises mechanisms operating automatically to cast a single plate, or to cast successively a desired or predetermined number ofduplicate plates, from a single matrix, according to the setting of the machine, and which will finish either such single plate or such plurality of plates in succession, the casting and finishing mechanisms, and cooperating devices, being interrelated to prevent collisions of plates, or crowding or choking of the machine, and will successively store the finished plates, ready to be removed to the printing press by an attendant. It Wlll be understood that this preliminary general description of the main features of the inventioh is not restrictive, but is designed to give a general idea of the entire machine as embodied. Various features or mechanisms may be used apart from this present relation within the scope of the broader aspects of the invention. More in detail, the machine will automatically move the plate casting members between the casting position and plate d scharging or forwarding position, and will pour the stereotype metal into the casting chamber. The machine may be set to casteither a single plate or to automatically and successively cast a plurality of duplicate plates in succession, according to the setting of a control mechanism provided for this pur ose.

T e plates, whether single plates, that 1s,

' each different from the other, or a plurality of successive duplicate plates, are conveyed automatically to a finishing mechanism, and are finished and then are conveyed away in succession to a storage support. The finishing mechanism then automatically stops unless other plates are supplied in succession from the casting mechanism.

The casting and finishin mechanisms are inter-related so that the finishing mechanism is called into operation by the presentation thereto of the first plate from the casting mechanism, and so that they will work automatically in cooperation with each other, and so that they will operate separately when the conditions or contingencies of plate production, handling or finishing re quire it, as will be explained more specifically hereinafter in describing the mechanism of the present embodiment.

More in detail, if for any reason a cast plate just after it is cast is not properly and punctually delivered from the casting mechanism and carried away by the conveyor which takes the plate to the finishing mechanism, the machine will be automatically stopped.

The machine is further capacitated so that if the finishing mechanism lags behind the casting mechanism, that is, if a plate is not finished before or at the time the casting mechanism is ready to deliver another plate, the casting mechanism will be automatically stopped. If the finishing mechanism runs ahead of the casting mechanism, it will automatically stop when it has delivered its plate to the storage station and will be automatically called into operation again as soon as the casting mechanism delivers a plate to it.

If for any reason the finished plate is not properly and punctually removed from the trimming mechanism, the finishing mechanism will be stopped, and the casting mechanism will also be stopped at the completion of its cycle of operation.

In all the above cases, any mechanism stopped by reason of the conditions or needs of any othermechanism, stops at the end of its cycle of operation, that is if the casting mechanism is automatically stopped from the finishing mechanism, it stops at the completion of the casting operation, and if the finishing mechanism is stopped automatically by reason of the conditions of the casting mechanism or plate supply, it will finish a plate upon which it may be operating and will deliver it to the storage station.

The embodied machine as constructed comprises a horizontally disposed casting core, casting on both its sides, and making a half rotation to bring the plate from the casting to the delivery position and to present the opposite side at the casting mechanism. Cooperating with the core in the casting operation, is a concave member, located beneath the casting core, and reciprocating to. and from it to cast the plate and then to provide clearance while the core is rotating to take the plate to delivery position. An automatic hot metal supply cooperates with the foregoing to cast the plate by pouring in at one of the straight edges.

A device settable by the attendant to cause the machine to cast a single plate, or to cast in succession a plurality of duplicate plates, from the same matrix is provided.

At the delivery position mechanism is provided for lifting the cast plate vertically clear of the casting core, and a reciprocating carrier slides the plate with its straight edges-beneath to the finishing mechanism. In conjunction with the conveyor is a stop mechanism, the operation of which is dependent upon the presence or absence of a plate going back with the conveyor to the finishing mechanism. This conveyor operates only when the casting mechanism is operating-and if it misses the plate for any reason on its movement toward the finishing mechanism, it will act to stop the casting mechanism.

The finishing mechanism, as embodied, comprises rotating cutters for cutting oil or trimming the straight edges of the plate and a'traveling knife for shaving the arcuate ribs on the concave back of the plate. In connection therewith, devices are provided, controlled by the presence or absence of a plate at the finishing station, for preventing too early conveyance of a plate from the casting station, (that is, prior to the completion ofthe finishing of the preceding plate) and for stopping the casting mechanism upon the completion of the casting of a plate which might be in process of casting.

A reciprocating carrier operating in time with the plate finishing mechanism carries the plate to the storage station, and is provided with devices, controlled by the presence or absence of a plate upon the carrier as it begins to move away from the finishing station, for stopping the finishing mechanism, if for any reason a plate is not removed therefrom. It will be recalled also that the presence of a plate so left behind in the finishing station will also stop the casting mechanism, I

Other features of the invention broadly, or of the present exemplary embodiment, will be additionally set forth in connection with the following detailed description of the present embodiment.

Referring now in detail to the embodiment illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) the plate casting mechanism comprises a rotatable casting core, and a cooperating re.- ciprocable concave member. The core makes a half revolution after each casting operation to bring the cast plate to delivery position, and the concave member moves back to give clearance for the rotating plate and for changing the matrix sheets, when desired. The casting core 1 is horizontally disposed, and is mounted on a shaft 2, journaled in the machine frame. The casting is done on the under side of core or cylinder 1, the core being then given a semi-rotation to bring the cast plate to the upper side of the core to a delivery position while presenting the opposite side of the core or cylinder for the casting of a succeeding plate.

The concave casting member 3 cooperating with the cylinder 1 to form the casting chamber to cast the plate is slidable vertically in the machine frame toward and from the underside of the cylinder 1. The concave member 3 moves upward toward the cylinder 1 to form the casting chamber, and after the plate is cast moves away therefrom to give clearance. as stated, for the rotation of the core 1 with the cast plate on its way to the delivery position above the core, and to provide space for the changing of the matrix necessary. The concave member 3 is mounted to reciprocate vertically in the machine frame in a suitable guideway, not illustrated in detail, as it forms no part of this invention. Suitable matrix clamps and edge stops are provided, which may be of any suitable or adequate form, but have been,

omitted from the present drawings, for the sake of clearness. The mechanism for vertically reciprocating the concave member 3 to and fro, comprises a pair of arms 8 and 9, projecting downwardly from the back of the member 3, and having in their lower ends, respectively, friction rollers 10 and 11. The rollers 10 and 11 bear, respectively, upon cordance with certain features of the invention, serves as a common driving means for the plate casting mechanism and for the mechanism for conveying the cast plates 9 from the casting position to the finishing station, a different shaft and drive being provided herein for operating the finishing mechanism and for conveying the plates therefrom to the delivery station. This feature is useful in connection with the interrelated automatic control of the casting and finishing mechanism dependent upon the condition and progress of the work, as hereinafter more fully described.

Referring now to the embodied form of means for effecting and controlling the rotary movements of the casting core 1, that is, for holding it at the casting position to make the cast, and for rotating it a half turn between the plate casting and plate delivery positions, and holding it at the latter position while the plate is being delivered, said means comprises a gear wheel 19 (Figs. 1, 4 and 5) fixed on the shaft 2 of the core 1,

and meshing therewith is a gear wheel 20,

which latter is supported on a stub shaft journaled in the machine frame. Fixed on the outer face of the gear wheel .20 torotate therewith is a cam wheel 21.

The cam wheel 21, as embodied, has formed in its exterior flat face a series of four radially disposed, straight cam ways 22. Cooperating therewith and fixed on shaft 14 is an arm 23, provided with a cam roller 24, which roller during the rotation of shaft 14 is adapted to enter one of the cam ways 22, and thereby to impart a quarter rotation to the cam wheel 20 for each revolution of shaft 14. The cam roller 24 then leaves the particular cam way 22, and on its next revolution the roller 24 enters the next adjacent cam way 22 to repeat the motion just described. Gear wheel 20 thus receives a quarter rotation with the cam wheel 21- for each rotation of the latter and of the shaft 14, and thereby imparts a half rotation to the gear wheel 19, (as the latter wheel is half the size of gear wheel 20) and to the casting core 1, by reason of the stated ratio between gear wheels 19 and 20.

As will be understood from the drawing, cam roller 24 enters the lower right hand cam way 22, when that camway is in the position shown in Fig. 5, as indicated by the arrow in said figure, and the roller leaves the camway when it has been moved to the position of the nextadjacent cam way to the left in Fig. 5, that is, after a quarter rotation of the cam disc 21. In Fig. 4 the parts are shown midway of the movement just described. The castin core 1 is thus given a half rotation from the casting position to the delivery position for each plate cast, the cast plates being thus delivered-at the top of the core or cylinder 1, successive plates being cast on opposite sides of the cylinder.

Means are provided for holding the core stationary for the periods of the plate casting and the plate delivery operations. And as embodied (Figs. 1, 4 and 5), a plurality of rollers 25, preferably four in number, are rotatably mounted on the exterior face of the cam wheel 21. Fixed on shaft 14, in definite relation to the arm 23, and preferably fixed thereto or integral therewith, is an arcuate plate 26, having formed therein a guideway 27 for the rollers 25, the guideway being concentric with the shaft 14 (Figs. 1, 4 and 5). As the shaft 14 rotates to efiect the movement of the core 1, already described, and as cam roller 24 leaves the cam way 22, one of the rollers 25 enters the for- 'ward end of guideway 27, a second roller entering the guideway at a later point in the movement. The entire mechanism just de scribed, including the casting core 1, is thus held in fixed position while these two rollers 25 (see Fig. 5) pass throrwh the guideway 27. The last of the two rollers 25 leaves the guideway 27 at the completion of the casting of a plate, and the cam roller 24 again engages a cam way 22 to effect the rotation of the core 1 with the newly cast plate to the delivery position.

The embodied form of means for supplying hot metal to the casting chamber (Figs. 1, 2 and 6) is automatically operated by the machine itself. As embodied, a pump and a delivery spout therefor are provided, which move to and from casting position, and which are actuated to pump the hot metal in timed relation with the other casting devices. As embodied, a hot metal reservoir 30 is provided, within which a pump 31 is suspended by upwardly extending arms 32 and 33 (Figs. 1, 2 and 6). Arms 32 and 33 are provided with laterally extending guides 34 and 35, which work in corresponding guideways formed in arms 36 and 37, which arms are supported upon and project from a part 38 of the machine frame. As the arms 32 and 33 reciprocate in their guideways, the pump 30 and its delivery spout 39 move to and fro, the mouth of the spout coming to casting position at the proper time. remaining to deliver the hot metal into the casting chamber, and thereafter receding to give clearance for the operation of the casting mechanism, including the rotation of the core 1, between casting and delivery positions.

The embodied form of means for imparting these movements to the pump and its spout (Figs. 1, 2 and6) comprises a cam 40, fixed on shaft 14, and'having therein a cam groove 41. A rod 42 has a yoke 43 straddling the shaft 14, and mounted on rod 42 is a cam roller 44, working in the cam groove 41. At its opposite end, rod 42 is pivotally connected to an arm 45 (Figs. 2 and 6), fixed on a shaft 46, which shaft is journaled in brackets 47 and 48, formed on the machine frame, and also in the supporting guide arms 36 and 37, already described. Fixed on shaft 46 is a pair of arms 49 and 50, which are pivoted, respectively, to the pump supporting arms 32 and 33 by a pin and-slot connection 49'. Thus, as cam 40 rotates, rod 42 is reciprocated, shaft 46 is rocked, thereby moving or sliding arms 32 and 33 in their respective guideways, and imparting to pump 31 and its spent 39 the movements to and fro from the casting position already described.

Referring now more especially to the automatic or machine operated means for pumping the hot metal (Figs. 2 and 16) a lever 52 is pivoted at 53 upon the machine frame. Carried by lever 52 is a cam roller 54, which Works in a cam groove 55 formed in a cam 56, fixed on the shaft 14. At the opposite end 57 thereof lever 52 is pivoted to a connecting rod 58, and rod 58 at its opposite end 59 ispivoted to a lever 60. Lever 60 is pivotally supported at 61 upon the machine frame, and at its opposite end 62, is pivotally connected to a rod 63. Rod 63 at its opposite end is pivotally connected to the plunger rod 64 of the pump 31. lhus on the rotation of the shaft 14, and in proper timed relation with the other casting devices, cam 56 operates lever 52 to operate pump 31 and deliver the cast metal for a plate into the casting chamber.

Referring now to the embodied form of removing or lifting means for delivering the cast stereotype plate from the core 1, (Figs. 1, 2 and 3), a stop 65 is provided on the machine frame, against which the forward straight edge of the cast plate an engages as it rotates with the core 1 (in clockwise direction in Figs. 1, 2 and 3) in coming from the plate casting position to the plate finishing position. On the opposite side of the core 1 is provided a vertically reciprocating plate lifter 66, adapted to engage with the other straight edge of the cast plate, and having vertical movement to lift the plate away from the core, preparatory to engagement of the plate by the conveying means which carries it to the plate finishing mechanism.

' The lifter 66 is mounted in guideways 67 in the machine frame to have vertical reciprocation. In the embodied form of actuating means for the plate lifter 66, there is pivoted to the plate lifter at 68 a rod 69,

which rod at its other end is ivoted to a lever 71, which lever is journale on a shaft 72 mounted in the machine frame. Pivoted to the lever 71 at its other end 73, is a rod 74, which rod is pivoted at its other end 75, to a bent lever 76, the lever 76 being journaled on the shaft 77, which shaft is mounted in the machine frame. At its other end, lever 76 is provided with a cam roller 78, and this cam roller cooperates with a cam 79, which is fixed on the shaft 14. When the forward straight ed e of the cast late a: engages with the fixe stop 65, the ever 86 is behind, or comes up behind the other straight edge of the cast plate, and the plate is then moved upwardly by the mechanism just described, and is thereby lifted from core 1 into position to be conveyed away by the conveyor to the trimming station, this position being shown in Fig. 3.

Referring now torthe embodied form of means for conveyin the plate between the position just descri ed and the trimmin station or mechanism, a conveyor 85 is fixe on one end of a long, horizontally disposed bar 88 (Figs. 1, 2, d, 5 and 7). The opposite sides of the conveyor or pusher 85 rest upon, fit about and are slidable along horiaontally disposed guides 83 and 8 1, mounted on the machine frame. The reciprocating bar 88 is mounted in a guideway, located at the top of the frame of the trimming station (Fi s. 1, 2, 3 and 7') consisting of two aralleF side members 88 and 89 conforme to fit the shape of the reciprocating bar 88, which is that of an inverted T.

In the embodied form of reciprocating means for bar 86, the upper part of the bar projects through the guideway 87, between the members 88 and 89, and is provided with a toothed rack or straight gear 90. Meshing with the rack bar 90 is a gear wheel 91, fixed on a shaft 92, which shaft is journaled in a bearing 98, fixed on the machine frame. Fixed also on shaft 92 is a gear inion9t, with which meshes a toothed rac or strai ht gear formed'on a reciprocating bar 95 (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 7 and 17). Bar 95 is held to pinion 94 by a guideway formed in a bracket 96 supported on shaft 92.

The embodied form of means for reciprocating rack bar 95, comprises a crank arm 98, to which the lower end of rack bar 95 is pivotally connected. The rack bar is thus reciprocated as the crank rotates. Crank arm 98 is fixed to a shaft 99 (Figs. 1 and 7) suitably journaled in the machine frame. Fixed to shaft 99 is a beveled gear wheel 102, which meshes with a beveled gear wheel 103, fixed on shaft 14, thus as the crank arm 98 is rotated, rack bar 95 reciprocates to and fro, and through pinion 94 and gear wheel 91, reciprocates rod 86. Pusher 85 is thereby traveled to the right in Fig. 1, and thereafter the lifting mechanism lifts the plate as in front of the conveying pusher. On the reverse movement of the conveying mechanism, the cast plate is moved to the left by the pusher 85 toward and into the plate trimming mechanism, the end of the travel of the conveying mechanism positioning'the plate for trimming within the trimming I matrix. Said mechanism comprises a late counting mechanism and in connection t erewith settable means for determining or lndicating the number of. duplicate plates de sired, that is, means which may be set by the operatorto automatically reduce the desired number of duplicate p ates, and in connection therewith means for controlling the operation of the machine, including the castingmechanism and the finishing mechanism, whereby the machine is entirely automatic after it has been set by the attendant for the desired number of duplicate plates from a single matrix.

As embodied (Figs. 1 10, Ill-and 18) the device is shown partly diagrammatically in Fig. 1, and in Fig. 18 it is similarly shown in connection with the control circuits. The exemplified form of Fig. 10 comprises an annular dial 105, supported upon the machine frame, and being circularly divided into spaces marked with numbers 108, which numbers represent duplicate cast plates. Mounted concentrically with dial is a shaft 107, supported by the machine frame, and journaled upon shaft 107 is a wheel 198, having ratchet teeth 109 formed on its edges. A. detent lever 110 is pivoted at 1111 upon the machine frame, and has a detent roller 112 cooperating with the teeth 109, the detent being pressed between the teeth by a spring 113.

In the wheel 108 is formed an annular series of spaced apart holes 114:, corresponding in number and relative osition to the numbers on the dial 105. leeved on the hub of wheel 108 is a lever 115, to which lever is pivoted a pawl 118, which is yieldingly held to the teeth 109 of ratchet wheel 108 by a spring 117. Lever 115 is yieldingly impelled by a spring 118 against a stop 119 fixed on the machine frame.

Lever 115 is arranged so that it is actuated upon each casting of a late, so as to advance or rotate ratchet w'eel 108 with reference to the fixed dial 105, the distance of one tooth, corresponding to one late indicating number on the dial. us the lli) Mounted also on shaft 107 is a lever 120,

provided with .a circuit making and breaking device or switch 121, operating between circuit terminals 122 and 123 to make and break the circuit to control the operation of the casting mechanism. The circuit connections are shown in Fig. 18. Lever 120 is ieldingly held to circuit closing position Fy a spring 124. A pin 125 is adapted to be settably positioned with respect to the plate counting mechanisms, that is, when the mechanism is in initial position, the pin 125 may be inserted in any of the holes 114, corresponding to the desired number of successive duplicate plates, as for instance, if nine duplicate plates are desired, pin 125 would be placed in the hole 114 opposite the number 9 on the dial 5. As each plate is cast, lever 115 is actuated so that pawl 116 feeds forward ratchet wheel 108 one tooth, and pin 125 is thereby advanced one step nearer to lever 120. When the ninth plate is cast pin 1.25 will engage lever 120 and will open the circuit at terminals 122 and 123 and stop the operation of the casting mechanism.

In the embodied form of means for easting only a single plate from a matrix, then automatically stopping the machine for a change of matrix, lever 115 is provided with a. projection 126, which is internally apertured, and in alinement therewith is a similar aperture 127 in lever 120. Pin 125 is inserted in aperture 127, and its point will project into the aperture in the part 126 of lever 115. Thus when the first plate is cast, or rather on the completion of the cast, when lever 115 is actuated, lever 120 by reason ofthe pin 125 locking them together, is actuated and the controlling circuit is opened at terminals 122 and 123 stopping the machine after the casting of a single plate.

The shaft 14 is driven in any suitable manner, and as embodied (Figs. 1 and 7) a worm wheel 130 is fixed to the shaft and meshing therewith is a worm 131, fixed on a shaft 132, which shaft is journaled in suitable bearings 133 in the machine frame. Fixed on shaft 132 is a gear wheel 134, with which meshes a pinion 135, fixed on the shaft 136 of a motor 137. This motor is controlled byv the circuits shown in Fig. 1.8 and the manner of operation of these controlling circuits will be later described.

In accordance with one feature of the invention, the casting mechanism and the con veying means therefrom are operated by one controlled drive, and the finishing mechanism and the conveyor therefrom is operated by a separately controlled drive. As embodied, the casting mechanism and the conveyor for the cast plates therefrom to the finishing mechanism are operated from a shaft 14 and motor 137 as described. In

the present embodiment, the finishing mechanism and the conveyor therefrom are driven from a separate shaft and by a separate motor, the inter-related control of one mechanism by another being effected and secured through the electrical circuits and the controls therefor shown in Fig. 18,-as will be later described.

So far as concerns many features of the invention, the plate trimming or finishing mechanism may be of any desired or suitable form, such for example, as that shown in my copending application Ser. No. 543,959, filed of even date herewith. As herein exemplarily embodied (Figs. 1, 7 and 12), non-traveling rotary cutters or saws cut the risers or waste portions off from the two straight edges of the plate as it is advanced past the cutters, and a rotating knife moves along and shaves the internal ribs of the plate.

The rotary cutters or saws 145 and 146 are located just in front of the place where the plate comes to rest within the finishing station, where the internal ribs are shaved. The cutters 145 and 146 are horizontally disposed and are mounted, respectively, on shafts 147 and 148, said shafts carrying also bevel gears 149 and 150 by which the saws are rotated. A shaft 151 is transversely arranged and is journaled at 152 and 153 in the machine frame. and fixed thereto are two bevel gear wheels 154 and 155, which mesh, respectively with bevel gears 149 and 150 to drive the cutters. Shaft 151 is driven in a suitable manner, and as shown in Figs. 1 and 7 it is driven from shaft 132, While in Fig. 19 it is shown driven from shaft 175, which drives the remainder of the finishing mechanism. Shaft 1.51, in Figs. 1 and 7, has fixed thereto a sprocket wheel 158, over which runs a sprocket chain 159, which chain also runs over a sprocket wheel 160, fixed on shaft 132, which is driven by motor 137. An idler 161 acts to keep the sprocket chain in tension. Thus, as the plate is carried forward by the conveyor pusher 85, it is fed past the cutters 145 and 146, and the straight edges are trimmed, the plate then passing on and coming to rest within the finishing station to have the ribs shaved.

y (it) the machine frame.

The'embodied form of rib shaving mechanism (Figs. 1, 7 and 12) comprises a knife 163, mounted on an arm 164, which is fixed to a shaft 165, journaled in the machine frame. Fixed on shaft 165 is a gear wheel 166, with which meshes a gear wheel 167, carried by a stub shaft 168, mounted on Meshing with gear wheel 167 is a gear wheel 169, which is fixed on shaft 170, which in this embodiment i the driving shaft for the finishing mechanism.. Through the mechanism just described, shaft 165 and cutter'or shaver 163 are given one rotation for each plate brought to the finishing mechanism, and the ribs of the plate are thereby shaved.

The driving mechanism for shaft 170, as embodied, comprises a worm wheel 173 fixed 'to the shaft, and in mesh therewith is a worm 174. Worm 174 is fixed on a shaft 175, journaled in bearings 176 and the machine frame. Fixed on shaft 175 is a gear wheel 178, with which meshes a pinion 170, fixed on the shaft of a motor 180. This motor is under the control of the circuits and mechanism shown in Fig. 18, and operates in the manner hereinafter describedto bring about the automatic inter-relation between the casting mechanism, the finishing mechanism and other cooperating parts of the machine.

The finishing station comprises an interiorly arch-shaped frame 182 within which the cast plate is clamped for shaving the ribs. For this purpose, as embodied, two pairs of clamps 183 and 184, and 185 and 186 engage the straight edges of the plate and press it into the arch during the revolution of the knife. Clamping fingers 183 and 184 are fixed to a shaft 189, journaled at 190 and 191 in the machine frame, and operating, respectively fingers 187 and 188, mounted in guides on the frame, and engaging and clamping the plate. The other set of clamping fingers 185 and 186 which engage slidable fingers 192 and 193, like fingers 187 and 188, already described, are fixed to a shaft 194, which is journaled in the machine frame at 195 and 196. Fixed to shaft 189 is a. geared sector 197, and fixed to shaft 194 is a geared sector 198, the teeth of the two sectors intermeshing. Pivoted to clamping finger 185 is a connecting rod 200, this rod at its opposite end having a yoke 201, which straddles shaft 170. On rod 200 is a cam roller 202, which cooperates with a cam 203, fixed on shaft 17 0. By this mechanism, the clamps engage the straight edges of the plate :12 and clamp it for trimming and then release it for delivery after the trimmin operation is completed.

mans are provided for conveying the finished plate to a storing station, and as embodied (Figs. 1, 13, 14 and 15) a lon bar 205 is mounted in a guideway 206 formed in a saddle 207, which constitutes the storage support from which the plates are taken preparatory to being placedupon the press. Bar 205 is formed with gear teeth or rack teeth 208 on its lower side, and meshing therewith is a gear wheel 209, fixed on a. shaft 210, which is journaled in the machine frame at 211 and 212. Fixed also. on shaft 210 is a gear pinion 213, and meshing with the pinion is a gearedv sector 214, fixed on a shaft 215, which is journaled at 216 and 217 in the machine frame. Fixed to shaft 215 is an arm 218, to which is pivotally connected a rod 219, which rod at its other end is pivotally connected to an arm 220. Arm 220 is fixed to a shaft 221, journaled at 222 in the machine frame. Fixed to shaft 221 is a beveled gear wheel 223, and meshing therewith is a beveled gear wheel 224, which is fixed on the main driving shaft 170 of the finishin end of the machine.

Suitable plate engaging and carrying means are mounted on the reciprocating bar 205, and as embodied a saddle 226 is fixed thereto, and pivotally mounted thereon is a plate engaging hook 227, adapted to take behind the rear end of the plate and to hold it upon the saddle during the return movement thereof from the finishing station to the storage station. When the finishing operation is completed on the plate as, the hook 227 is in the position with respect to the plate at shown in Fig. 14, and as clamping fingers 187, 188 and 192, 193 release the plate, it drops to the position shown in Fig. 15, rests upon the saddle 226 with the hook 227 behind it, and is conveyedto the storage station. On the next advance movement of the conveyor mechanism toward the finishing station, the plate is left behind at the storage station, the plates being thus stored one after another, as shown in Fig. l, and they are later removed, as desired or necessary, by the attendant, preparatory to being placed on the press.

1n the embodied form of means for controlling the machine automatically in case of the failure of the first conveyor to remove a cast plate from the delivery position of the casting mechanism, suitable means are provided for bringing the casting mechanism to a standstill, and as embodied, a lever 230 is pivotally mounted in suitable position upon the conveyor 85 (Figs. 1 and 18) and has on one end thereof a switch-operating hook 231. This hook 231 is adapted to cooperate with a switch 232 in case the conveyor fails to take the plate, the switch being held closed by a spring 237. The hook is held in switch operating position by a spring 233, and the tail 236, of the lever 230 is shaped and positioned to engage. the plate or when taken by the conveyor, the lever 230 being thereby moved out of the switch-operating position. The switch 232, which cooperates with the lever230 opens and closes the circuit at the terminals 234 and 235, as will be later described in connection with Fig. 18. If no plate is taken, the spring 233 holds the lever 230 in position to open switch 232, but if aplate is taken from casting position, the plate so taken throws lever 230 to non-engaging position with respect to switch 232.

The switches, switch engagin devices, and other cooperating parts of t e various controlsare shown more or less diagrammatically for the sake of cle'arness and ease of reading in the drawings, but it will be understood that in the commercial machines these devices will be incorporated in the mechanism in the most convenient manner for practical operation.

Referring now to the embodied form of means for securing coordination and cooperation between the casting mechanism and the finishing mechanism (Figs. 1 and 18), a switch 238,11as terminals 239 and 240, in circuit as shown in Fig. 18. This switch 238 is mounted on a lever 241, pivotally mounted at 242, and having its tail 243 positioned so that the switch 238 is closed by a plate a: coming into the finishing station from the casting mechanism. Thus upon the arrival of a plate at the finishing station, this switch starts motor 180, which drives the finishing mechanism, as will be more fully describe in connection with F 1 18.

Means are provided for maintaining the finishing end of the machine in operation after a finished plate has left the finishing station, and has passed out of operative relation with switch 238, irrespective of whether a succeeding plate has come into the finishing station from the casting mechanism, so that the finishing end of the machine will in any event continue in operation until the first-mentioned plate is stored at the delivery station, that is, so that the finishing mechanism will not stop before the completion of its cycle of operation. In the embodied form of such means (Figs. 1 and 18) a switch 246, having terminals 247 and 248 (shown also in Fig. 18 in their circuit relations), is mounted on a lever 249, pivoted at 250, and having its tail e uipped with a plate contactor 251, where y the switch 246 is held closed until the plate is stored at the deliver station.

It will be recalled that the arrival of a plate m at the finishing station operated switch 238 to close it and start the finishing end of the machine. As the plate m passes from the finishing station it passes out of contact with switch 238, but in the meantime has passed into engagement with switch 246. These two switches are arranged in circuit in parallel, and notwithstanding that switch 238 is opened by the leaving plate 00, the finishing mechanism is kept in the finishing mechanism. In such case, the

finishing and delivering mechanism continues in operation, notwithstanding that switch 246 has opened, as the newly arrived plate has closed switch 238, which keeps the finishing end of the machine going. The parts are also so positioned that the shaving knife is in position to begin operation on a succeeding plate when switch 246 stops the finishing mechanism.

Means are rovi'ded for preventing the feeding into t e finishing mechanism of a second plate from the casting mechanism before a preceding plate has passed out of-the finishing mechanism. In the embodied form thereof (Figs. 1 and 18), a switch 255, having terminals 256 and 257 in circuit as shown in Fig. 18, is mounted on the lever 241, which as already described, carries switch 238. The mechanism is arranged so that when switch 238 is closed, switch 255 is open, and vice versa. In front of the finishing mechanism, so as to come into operative relation with a plate approaching the finishing station from the casting mechanism, by means of conveyor 85, is placed a switch 259, having terminals 260 and 261,'in circuit'as shown in Fig. 18. Switch 259 is mounte on a pivoted lever 263, the tail of which has a roller 264, adapted to contact with a passing stereotype plate to open the switch, the switch being held closed by a spring in the absence of a plate.

A plate in the finishing station hblds switch 255 open but switch 259, in circuit in parallel therewith, is normally closed, and thus maintains the casting mechanism in operation.

However, if there is a plate at the finishing station maintaining the switch 255 open, and a succeeding plate is forwarded by con veyor 85 from the casting mechanism, such succeeding plate will open switch 259, and. both switches 255 and 259 being open, the casting mechanism will be brought to rest at the end of its cycle of o erations, that is, upon the completion of t e casting operation.

When the plate at the finishing station is completed, it will be conveyed away to the delivery station in the manner already described, and switch 255 will be closed by the finished plate passing out of contact therewith on its way to the delivery station. This will automatically start the casting mechanism again into operation, notwithstanding that switch 259 is held open by the plate therebeneath. This will also start coneration. Upon the arrival 0 the plate in the finishing station, it will open switch 255 but in the meantime it has passed on from engagement with switch 259, which has closed, and thus will maintain the casting machine in operation.

Means are provided for stopping the finishing mechanism in case the delivery conveyor fails to remove a plate from the fin ishing station to the storage station. As embodied (Figs. 1, 1a, 15 and 18) a switch 267 has terminals 265 and 266 in circuit as shown in Fig. 18, the switch being mounted on a ivoted lever 268, which is acted on by a spring 269, tending to keep the switch in circuit closing position.

Mounted on the conveyor 226, operating between the plate finishing and plate storing station, is a lever 272 (Figs. 1, 8, 1t, 15 and 18) operated by the presence or absence of a plate on the conveyor 226, to correspondingly control switch 267. Lever 272. is pivoted at 273 on plate saddle 226, with its end 27d in position to be moved downwardly by a plate a coming to rest on saddle 226, as clamping arms 18?, 188 and 189, 190 lower it downwardly at the close of the finishing operation. W hen the plate a: so comes to rest on the conveyor saddle 226, preparatory to its conveyance away to storage, it swings lever 272 into inoperative position with respect to switch 267. If however, no plate is taken by conveyor 226, the tail 275 of lever 272 remains in position to engage switch 267, which is thereby moved to open circuit position and stops the finishing mechanism.

11 the foregoin action is due to no plate being at the finis ing station, the forwarding of a subsequent plate from the casting mechanism will control the circuits to start the finishing mechanism again into operation.

Referring now to Fig. 18, which shows a system or arrangement of circuits for the automatic control devices already described, the circuit terminals, switches and actuating means therefor, are shown in Fig. 1; and in connection therewith, and in accordance with one feature of the invention, a s stem of apparatus for hand control is provi ed in conjunction with the automatic controls already referred to.

In such embodied form of the control mechanism the motor 137, which operates the casting end of the machine, that is, the casting mechanism and the conveyor there from, in the present embodiment thereof, has its power circuit 290 controlled by a self starter 291. This self starter ma be of any standard or adequate design or firm of electrical equipment, and controls the power circuit 290'or current supply of motor 137 in accordance as it itself is controlled through its pilot or controlling circuit from the automatic and manually operated controls, as exemplarily shown in Fig. 18.

Wires 292 represent the power circuit or current supply circuit for the motor 180, wh ch in this embodiment operates the finshing end of the machine, that is, the finishmg mechanism and the conveyor therefrom, as already described. The power circuit 292 is controlled by a self starter 293, which like 291, may be standard electrical equipment operating in the usual manner, that is turning on and ofl the power from circuit 292, and the self starter 293 is also controlled either from the automatic devices or the manually operated devices of its pilot or controlling circuit.

The automatic devices for controlling the machine, which devices are operated by the presence or absence of a late, shown in Fig. 18, have already been escribed in connection with their location and cooperation in the machine, and a comparison of Figs. 1 and 18 will make clear their relation to the mechanism of the present embodiment.

Referring now to the embodied form of controlling or pilot circuits for the self starters or controls for the power circuits for the driving motors, the positive line may be taken as 294: the circuit therefrom branching to the self starters 291 and 293, and to the switches for the manual control, at 295. Wire 296 branches at 297 and passes through two relay switches 298 and 299, which switches open and close the circuit from the supply line to the self starters,

. these relay switches being controlled from the manually operated switch board.

Relay switch 298 controls self starter 291, which in turn controls the driving motor 137 for the casting end of the machine, the circuit however passing through certain of 'the' automatic controls already described.

In this connection through the automatic controls, relay switch 298 has its terminal 300 connected by wire 301, to switch 232, which it will be recalled controls the circuit to stop the casting mechanism in case the conveyor 85 fails to take the cast plate from the casting position or station. As already described, if conveyor 85 fails to take the plate, switch 232 will open the circuit and stop motor 137.

This circuit branches at 302, into wires 303 and 304. Switch 263 is in branch 303 and switch 255 is in branch 304, the two switches being in arallel, and must be open simultaneously to reak the circuit and stop motor 137. The manner of operation and cooperation of these switches has already been described and need notbe re eated here. The branches 303 and 304 of t e circuit unite at 305 and by wire 306 pass to the self starter 291.

Relay switch 299 (which controls the fin-' ishing mechanism) has a terminal 309 connecting to circuit wire 310 which also passes through certain of the automat c, plate actuated controls already described. In these connections, circuit 310 leads to switch 267, the operation and coo eration of which has likewise already been escribed. At 311 the circuit branches into wires 312 and 313. In the branch 312 is switch 241, and in branch 313 is the switch 246, these switches thus being in parallel, and the circuit is only broken when both these switches are simultaneously opened. The circuit branches 312 and 313 unite at 314 and pass through wire 315 to the self starter 293, which it will be recalled controls the motor 180. The manner of operation and cooperation of all these switches has been previously fully described and need not be repeated at this oint.

The manually operated switch cards for controlling the machine in conjunction with the automatic controls just described operate by controlling the respective relay switches 298 and 299. As embodied, from the branching point 295, a circuit wire 318 asses in series through two Stop and Safe and run buttons or switches. Having two control stations is merely a matter of convenience, as there could be either. a single station or a plurality of them, as desired. These Stop and Safe and run switches are so placed in the circuit as to control the current for the Start button or switch.

When either of the Safe buttons is pushed, the relay controlling circuits are both open and dead, and the circuits to the self starter 291 and 293 through the various described automatic controls are also dead, and the machine will not run while either of the Safe switches is open. This circuit condition remains until the corresponding Run button is pushed, when the clrcuit is closed at this point and the machine will operate subject to the various manual and automatic controls at later points in the circuit.

If either of the Stop buttons or switches are operated, the entire machine will stop instantly, as this breaks the circuit through the holding coils 336 and 341, when the Stop button is released, the machine is not started again, for the reason that the coils 336 and 341 do not pass enough current to close the open switches 298 and 299 but serve to hold the switches after they are otherwise closed. The machine is started again by pressing the Start button which energizes the coils 323 and 328 and thereby closes the switches 298 and 299. At 319 the circuit, which is'controlled in the manner already described, branches, one branch passing through a further manual control and thence to the respective operating coils of the relay switches298 and 299, the other branch passing direct from 319 through the holding circuits for the holding coils of the two relay switches.

From 319, the relay switch operating branch of the circuit passes through a Start switch or button. This button is pressed to close the circuit to the operating relay coils through a wire 320. This circuit branches at 321, one branch passing by wire 332 to the coil 323 for relay switch 298, which controls the drive for the casting mechanism. The circuit then passes from the coil 323 through wire 324 and wire 335 to the negative wire 326.

From the point' 321 the other branch of the circuit passes through a wire 227 and thence through operating coil 328 for relay switch 299, which controls the circuit of the self starter 293 for the finishing mechanism. From coil 328 the circuit passes through ,wire 329 and at 330 connects to the wire 325 and passes from thence to the ne ative line.

Thus when the Safe and top buttons are in circuit closing positions, and the Start button is pressed, both relay operating coils 323 and 328 are energized and close, respectively, the switches 298 and 299, and operate the respective self starters 291 and 293 to start and maintain in operation both the motor 137 of the casting mechanism and motor 180 of the finishing mechanism, subject to the various automatic controls interposed in the respective circuits between the two relays and their corresponding self starters.

Referring now to the holding current for relay switch 298, from the branch 319 a wire 335 passes to a resistance coil, or like current reducing device 336, and from thence through the relay operating coil 328 to the negative line by the connections already described. By reason of the device 336, the current applied through this connection to the relay coil 328 is not sufficient to operate switch 299, but will hold it closed after the relay coil has closed the switch by current through wire 327 from the other'branch of the circuit.

Referring now to the holding circuit for the other relay 299, this cooperates additionally with the mechanism for counting and casting a desired number of successive -i ll pose it passes through switch 121 on lever 120 (Figs. 10 and .18) of the mechanism for counting the cast plates and controlling the n'iaking of duplicate plates. At 338 this circuit branches from wire 335 and passes through wire 339 to switch 121. From thence it passes by wire 34:0 to resistance coil 34L, and from thence through the relay operating coil 323 to the negative line. By reason of the resistance device only suliicient current is furnished for holding the switch in closed position. Thus when switch 121 opens the circuit, the holding current is cut out from coil 323,- and switch 298 automatically opens, and through self starter 291 stops motor 137 and thereby stops the casting mechanism. The closing of the switch 121 does not in itself start the machine or the casting mechanism again. This permits the use of the inching buttons to any extent desired without permanently or continuously starting the machine into mo.- tion, which would be undesirable. After the switch 121 has opened to stop the machine upon the completion of the desired number of plates, when the matrix has been changed and the machine is otherwise ready, it is started by pressing the Start button.

It will be noted also that when either the Safe or the Stop buttons are pressed, the holding current through coils 336 and 341 for the relay coils 323 and 328 is cut off, through the circuit already described, thereby permitting both the switches 298 and 299 to open. These switches remain open until the Run button. and the Start button are pressed thereby directly energizing the closing coils 323 and 328.

Means are also provided for manuall operating either or bot-h the casting mechanism and the finishing mechanism independently of the automatic controls when desired. This is usually employed for inching the machine around for adjusting, positioning, or any other purpose. As OII'IlXXllGd, these circuits are dependent upon and are controlled by, the Stop an Safe buttons. The buttons marked Inch A are designed to impart the desired motion to the casting mechanism and are in parallel on branches of the circuit starting from 319 and leading into a wire 345, which leads directly to the self starter 291. Similar buttons or switches marked Inch B are in parallel in branches of the circuit beginning at 319 and leading into a wire 346 which connects directly to the self starter 293.

The manner of operation of the various automatic controls has been previously fully described, and the cooperation therewith of the various circuits and manual controls will be clear from the foregoing.

In Fig. 19 of the drawings, the cutters 145 and 146 are driven from the motor 180,

of the plate lifter which is shown in a general way in Fig. 1. The plat-e lifter 66, it will be recalled, reciprocates in the vertically disposed guideways 67. The lifter comprises the plate engaging member 370, a carrier 371 therefor which reciprooates in the guideways 67, the plate engaging member being movable on its carrier, first to permit the cast plate a: to pass it, and then to get on the under side of the straight edge of the plate w to lift it. The lifter also comprises means or devices for effecting the described relative movements between the lifter and its carrier. As embodied, the carrier 371 for the plate lifter proper 370 comprises a slide 372, mounted to reciprocate in the two vertically disposed guides 67, which guides are mounted, as stated, on the machine frame. This slide is shown as having two side arms 373 and 374, which slide in the guideways 67, and a cross connecting piece 375, at the bottom end. piece is provided with lugs 37 6 and 377, to which the actuating rod 69 is pivotally connected.

The plate lifter 370 is pivotally mounted at its lower end in the carrier or slide 371 by means of a pin 380 (Figs. 21 and 22). The lifter proper 370, near the upper end of the side members 373 and 374 of the slide has at each side bearing lugs 381 and 382, which keep it in position within the slide.

Mounted on the lifter 370, near the bottom end thereof, is a lug 383. internally apertured to receive a pin 384, which pin is pivotally mounted in a lug 385, fixed to the cross-piece 375 of the slide. Coiled about pin .384 is a spring 386, in compression between the two lugs 383, and 385, and impelling the lifter inwardly or to the right in Fig. 20. I

Means are provided for holding the plate lifter 370 out, or to the left in Fig. 20, while the cylinder 1, with the castplate w is rotating from casting position to plate delivering position. As embodied. a. rod 388 projects from the side of the plate lifter 370, and it is provided with a cam roller 389.

Pivotally mounted on the machine frame is a switch cam 390, the cam being fixed on a shaft 391, journaled in the machine frame at 392. A spring 393 is coiled about shaft 391, with one end thereof fixed to the machine frame and the other end of the spring This cross 

